Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal

GreenGal · 06-26-2005, 01:07 PM

Hey Guys,

I just read somewhere that Benadryl can be helpful with the dizziness that accompanies Effexor withdrawal. Has anyone tried that? I've tried Gravol recently and while it helped a little, it really wasn't enough. I'd like to try Benadryl but I also read that taking it around the same time you take Effexor can potentially cause heart problems. Does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,
Kelly

silence4now · 06-26-2005, 02:39 PM

It seemed to help me when I was withdrawing from Paxil, but it would make me very groggy. I saw a recent post where someone (?) recommended children's Benedryl for this.

feelin'_wiggy · 06-26-2005, 03:17 PM

I don't know how Benadryl interacts with Effexor. It helped me sleep early in withdrawal. Like Silence said, it made me very groggy. I would wait until I had been awake for 2-3 days, then the Benadryl would put me to sleep for another two days. Yuck!

Regarding the heart trouble associated with using the two meds, does the source say anything about the Benadryl dosage or frequency? Is there a risk factor even if you use Benadryl occasionally? I would ask my pharmacist.

Scotty?

skidder · 06-26-2005, 03:26 PM

I found this post on another site, thought it might help you.Remember with sudafed and benadryl and the likes these can also be addictive so be careful..

"From: "D. Fegg"
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 1996 22:12:14 -0500
Subject: Diphenhydramine for venlafaxine discontinuation reactions

I want to reply/confirm regarding a listing for Effexor withdrawl symptoms that Benadryl is a great help getting through some of the rougher symptoms -- whoda thunkit?!

I tapered off my Effexor from 150 mg/day to 75 mg/day for a few wks, then to 37.5 mg/day for 2 wks, and then off. For the first 48 hrs, I had no symptoms, but then I was socked with the "electrical shock" phenomena someone else mentioned -- with any movement at all. There were also concentration difficulties and gastrointestinal upset and just general crumminess. About 4 days into this, I read the post about Benadryl and got some, with quick reduction in a lot of the symptoms -- enough so that I could return to work. It didn't eliminate all of the problems, but it did a good job. I took it for about two weeks and then was over virtually all problems.

My doctor was not familiar enough with this medication to have advice regarding the type/length of withdrawl symptoms, so I passed on the above info and hope it will help someone else."

Good luck,

Chris

MicheleT · 06-26-2005, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silence4now

It seemed to help me when I was withdrawing from Paxil, but it would make me very groggy. I saw a recent post where someone (?) recommended children's Benedryl for this.

Yes, someone (I think Caroline49) mentioned that her doctor recommended it instead of Xanax. I'm going to try it for those nights I cannot get to sleep. But if you are on Blood Pressure medication check with your doctor as there may be interaction with the psuedoephadrine (is that how you spell it?).

silence4now · 06-26-2005, 08:52 PM

Pseudo-ephedrine is a bronchodilator; it's not the same as Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) which is an anti-histamine. But you are right, just read a study about the interaction of Effexor and Benedryl and there is a potential problem. Do not take Benedryl if you are still taking Effexor and read this:

http://www.biopsychiatry.com/venbenadryl.htm

It's basically saying that Benedryl can inhibit the metabolism of Effexor and put a person who is CYPD26 deficient at increased risk for cardiac events.

nicole55 · 06-27-2005, 03:00 PM

I don't know about the interaction with other drugs. But I absolutely have used Benadryl to help me sleep occasionally, in an emergency when I was so full of anxiety. one doctor even recommended it, when I was having a full blown panic attack and hadn't slept for 3 days. It does work, relaxes and puts you to sleep. And of course that helped with the dizziness I was having from the full blown anxiety attack.

pax pilgrim · 07-23-2005, 11:04 PM

Benadryl and valerian were heaven sent for my acute anxiety with w/d. I am new to this whole thing. Last dose of 20 mg was July 3rd. I didn't have a clue-thought I'd be really teary all the time, but did not know about the physical symptoms. Docs told me it wasn't addictive/maybe habit-forming. The 3rd day off, I started with dizziness and anxiety. Did search and found help in the withdrawal guide here and have been reading every day since.
I'm so new, I don't know how to start a post, so please forgive the faux pas. I'd appreciate guidance.

elisa · 07-24-2005, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pax pilgrim

Benadryl and valerian were heaven sent for my acute anxiety with w/d. I am new to this whole thing. Last dose of 20 mg was July 3rd. I didn't have a clue-thought I'd be really teary all the time, but did not know about the physical symptoms. Docs told me it wasn't addictive/maybe habit-forming. The 3rd day off, I started with dizziness and anxiety. Did search and found help in the withdrawal guide here and have been reading every day since.
I'm so new, I don't know how to start a post, so please forgive the faux pas. I'd appreciate guidance.

Welcome pax pilgrim!!

To start a NEW thread (post) look at the top of the forum. There is a button that says: NEW POST. Just click on it and type away.

06-26-2005, 01:07 PM	#1
GreenGal Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5	Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal Hey Guys, I just read somewhere that Benadryl can be helpful with the dizziness that accompanies Effexor withdrawal. Has anyone tried that? I've tried Gravol recently and while it helped a little, it really wasn't enough. I'd like to try Benadryl but I also read that taking it around the same time you take Effexor can potentially cause heart problems. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks, Kelly __________________ Started Paxil 2001 for Anxiety Weaned from 40mg to 5mg over course of 6 months Doctor switched me to Effexor 150mg Currently on 75mg Effexor with increased anxiety

06-26-2005, 02:39 PM	#2
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,422	Re: Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal It seemed to help me when I was withdrawing from Paxil, but it would make me very groggy. I saw a recent post where someone (?) recommended children's Benedryl for this. __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

06-26-2005, 03:17 PM	#3
feelin'_wiggy Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,301	Re: Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal I don't know how Benadryl interacts with Effexor. It helped me sleep early in withdrawal. Like Silence said, it made me very groggy. I would wait until I had been awake for 2-3 days, then the Benadryl would put me to sleep for another two days. Yuck! Regarding the heart trouble associated with using the two meds, does the source say anything about the Benadryl dosage or frequency? Is there a risk factor even if you use Benadryl occasionally? I would ask my pharmacist. Scotty? __________________ *Deborah* Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage -- Anais Nin ...the most you can hope is to be a little less, in the end, the creature you were in the beginning and the middle. -- Samuel Beckett (The Unnamable) . 1998: Paxil prescribed during mother's battle with cancer. 07/03 thru 05/05: Poop out; 2 botched attempts at wd; bipolar dx; more drugs added 04/05: quit lithium, Adderall and Xanax 05/05: Began 3rd attempt at wd 07/22/05: Liberated! http://www.benzo.org.uk

06-26-2005, 03:26 PM	#4
skidder Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: uk Posts: 362	Re: Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal I found this post on another site, thought it might help you.Remember with sudafed and benadryl and the likes these can also be addictive so be careful.. "From: "D. Fegg" Date: Tue, 9 Jan 1996 22:12:14 -0500 Subject: Diphenhydramine for venlafaxine discontinuation reactions I want to reply/confirm regarding a listing for Effexor withdrawl symptoms that Benadryl is a great help getting through some of the rougher symptoms -- whoda thunkit?! I tapered off my Effexor from 150 mg/day to 75 mg/day for a few wks, then to 37.5 mg/day for 2 wks, and then off. For the first 48 hrs, I had no symptoms, but then I was socked with the "electrical shock" phenomena someone else mentioned -- with any movement at all. There were also concentration difficulties and gastrointestinal upset and just general crumminess. About 4 days into this, I read the post about Benadryl and got some, with quick reduction in a lot of the symptoms -- enough so that I could return to work. It didn't eliminate all of the problems, but it did a good job. I took it for about two weeks and then was over virtually all problems. My doctor was not familiar enough with this medication to have advice regarding the type/length of withdrawl symptoms, so I passed on the above info and hope it will help someone else." Good luck, Chris

06-26-2005, 08:52 PM	#6
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,422	Re: Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal Pseudo-ephedrine is a bronchodilator; it's not the same as Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) which is an anti-histamine. But you are right, just read a study about the interaction of Effexor and Benedryl and there is a potential problem. Do not take Benedryl if you are still taking Effexor and read this: http://www.biopsychiatry.com/venbenadryl.htm It's basically saying that Benedryl can inhibit the metabolism of Effexor and put a person who is CYPD26 deficient at increased risk for cardiac events. __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive. Last edited by silence4now : 06-26-2005 at 08:59 PM.

06-27-2005, 03:00 PM	#7
nicole55 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 540	Re: Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal I don't know about the interaction with other drugs. But I absolutely have used Benadryl to help me sleep occasionally, in an emergency when I was so full of anxiety. one doctor even recommended it, when I was having a full blown panic attack and hadn't slept for 3 days. It does work, relaxes and puts you to sleep. And of course that helped with the dizziness I was having from the full blown anxiety attack. __________________ status: PAXIL FREE date of Freedom: June 26, 2005 method: 2.5 mg drops reason for taking: anxiety how long taking: 5yrs attempts to stop: 4th attempt worked!! briefly went back to ssri's- 12/07 tried Zoloft in desperation//awful side effects starting up, tapered quickly after only 4 weeks on 11/09 feeling ok

07-23-2005, 11:04 PM	#8
pax pilgrim Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 27	Re: Benadryl for SSRI withdrawal Benadryl and valerian were heaven sent for my acute anxiety with w/d. I am new to this whole thing. Last dose of 20 mg was July 3rd. I didn't have a clue-thought I'd be really teary all the time, but did not know about the physical symptoms. Docs told me it wasn't addictive/maybe habit-forming. The 3rd day off, I started with dizziness and anxiety. Did search and found help in the withdrawal guide here and have been reading every day since. I'm so new, I don't know how to start a post, so please forgive the faux pas. I'd appreciate guidance.

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